Sample is prepared by stages.

The population is divided into number of large sampling units, each of which is in turn divided into smaller units and soon. A random sample is taken for the large units at the first stage and from those selected a further random sample i.e. second stage is collection of smaller units.

 If we want to take sample of 5000 households from punjab SO THE SAMPLES CAN BE SELECTED INTO THREE STAGES: 1ST STAGE 2ND STAGE 3RD STAGE

1ST STAGE The state may be divided into a number of districts and few districts selected at random

2ND STAGE Each district may be subdivided into number of villages and sample of villages may be taken at random.

3RD STAGE
At the third stage, 5000 households may be selected from villages selected at second stage.

 Sampling test, identification and numbering are required only for units selected in the sample at each stage & not for all the units of the population. If sampling units at each stage are geographically defined (such as district, village etc.) this method cut down field costs (i.e.travel)

 Cost and speed that the survey can be done in Convenience of finding the survey sample Normally more accurate than cluster sampling for the same size sample Multi-stage sampling can in fact be easier to implement and can create a more representative sample of the population than a single sampling technique.

 Errors increase as number of sampling units selected decreases. Is not as accurate as SRS if the sample is the same size More testing is difficult to do

 For extremely large scale surveys covering a full state/country, it is desirable that sampling is done in stages. Select few districts randomly Few PHCs within each selected district Few villages within each selected PHC Few families or target individual within each selected village.

 Consider how large your population is. Also consider how easy it will be to reach those selected for surveying. What are the costs involved? Consult an experienced researcher, preferably one with expertise in survey design, about the construction and implementation of multi-stage designs. The usual sampling rules apply take all reasonable steps to ensure that the response rate is high.

 Make sure each stage of the survey procedure is implemented according to high standards. As each stage of the multi-stage process is itself a sampling technique, each stage must be held to the standards as if it were the only stage. If one stage is done poorly, then this has ramifications for the rest of the data collection as well as for statistical analyses conducted further along in the research process.

 Think carefully about how to implement the multi-stage approach. As there is no strict definition to multi-stage sampling, there is no formulaic way as to how to combine the various sampling options (such as clustering, stratified, and simple random). The multi-stage sampling procedure should be constructed in such a way to be cost and time effective while retaining both the randomness and sufficient size of the sample.

 Cluster sampling is an example of 'two-stage sampling' . First stage a sample of areas is chosen; Second stage a sample of respondents within those areas is selected. Population divided into clusters of homogeneous units, usually based on geographical contiguity. Sampling units are groups rather than individuals. A sample of such clusters is then selected. All units from the selected clusters are studied.

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 Advantages : Cuts down on the cost of preparing a sampling frame. This can reduce travel and other administrative costs. Disadvantages: Sampling error is higher for a simple random sample of same size. Often used to evaluate vaccination coverage in EPI
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Two types of cluster sampling methods. One-stage sampling. All of the elements within selected clusters are included in the sample. Two-stage sampling. A subset of elements within selected clusters are randomly selected for inclusion in the sample.

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